DIY Paper plate Elephant craft

This DIY paper plate elephant craft is a sweet, simple animal craft that feels cute without being complicated. I love crafts like this because I can usually pull the supplies from the craft bin, set everything on the table, and keep the kids busy without making a giant shopping list first.

It uses one paper plate, gray paint, construction paper, glue, googly eyes, and a black marker. That is my kind of craft, easy to set up, budget-friendly, and not too precious if a little paint lands somewhere it should not.

This easy elephant craft for kids works really well for preschool and kindergarten, especially if your kids are learning about zoo animals, jungle animals, or just love anything with big ears and a long trunk.

This craft is great for:

• Animal theme activities
• Preschool craft time
• Kindergarten classrooms
• Rainy day crafts
• Zoo theme lessons
• Homeschool art projects
• Simple paper plate crafts for kids

I also like that this elephant does not need to be perfect. The ears can be uneven, the trunk can curl in a funny direction, and the smile can look a little silly. That is honestly half the charm.

Why Kids Will Love This Paper Plate Elephant Craft

Kids will love this paper plate elephant craft because it has big shapes, fun details, and a cute face at the end. The paper plate becomes the elephant’s head, and the construction paper pieces turn into the ears, trunk, tusks, and cheeks.

That makes the craft easy for kids to understand. They can see the animal come together step by step, which always feels exciting. My favorite part is when the eyes go on, because suddenly it is not just a gray plate anymore. It is a little elephant with personality.

This craft is also great because it:

• Uses simple supplies
• Is fun for animal lovers
• Works well for preschool and kindergarten
• Helps kids practice cutting and gluing
• Teaches basic animal features
• Makes a cute classroom display
• Can be customized with colors and decorations

I usually let kids choose small details, like cheek color or whether the trunk is straight or curled. It gives them ownership without turning the whole craft into a free-for-all, which is helpful when glue is involved.

Supplies You’ll Need

You do not need anything fancy for this paper plate animal craft. I always appreciate a project that uses the basics, especially because craft supplies disappear fast when kids are involved.

Here is what you will need:

• 1 paper plate
• Gray paint, or any elephant color
• Paintbrush
• Gray construction paper or cardstock
• Pink construction paper
• White paper
• Googly eyes
• Glue
• Scissors
• Black marker

The gray paint gives the elephant a classic look, but you can absolutely let kids choose another color. A blue elephant, purple elephant, or even rainbow elephant can be adorable. I try not to fight color choices unless we are making something for a very specific lesson.

Cardstock works best for the ears and trunk because it holds its shape better. Regular construction paper still works, though, especially if that is what you already have.

For glue, I like using a glue stick for the paper pieces and liquid glue for the googly eyes. The googly eyes usually need a little extra help staying put.

How to Make a DIY Paper Plate Elephant Craft

Follow these simple steps to make your own paper plate elephant craft. I like to set everything out before starting, because once the paint is open, kids are ready to go.

Step 1: Paint the Paper Plate

Paint the paper plate gray, blue, or any elephant color your child likes. Cover the front of the plate and try to spread the paint evenly, but do not stress about brush marks. They actually give the elephant a little texture.

Let the paper plate dry completely before adding the other pieces. If you are crafting with impatient kids, which is most kids, you can paint the plate first and then cut the ears, trunk, and tusks while it dries.

Washable paint is my go-to for this step. It still makes a mess, but at least it is a mess I can usually handle with wipes and a deep breath.

Step 2: Cut Out the Elephant Ears

Cut two large ear shapes from gray construction paper. Elephants have big ears, so make them wide and rounded.

For the inside of the ears, cut two smaller shapes from pink paper. Glue the pink pieces onto the gray ears. This extra detail makes the elephant look brighter and sweeter.

If you are making this with toddlers or younger preschoolers, I would cut the ears ahead of time. Older kids can cut their own, especially if you draw the ear shape first.

Optional Ear Detail

You can make the ears extra fun by using patterned paper, tissue paper pieces, or a lighter shade of pink for the inside. I usually keep it simple, but if your child loves decorating, the ears are a great place to add personality.

Step 3: Make the Elephant Trunk

Cut a long trunk shape from gray construction paper. You can make it straight, curved, or curled at the end.

A curled trunk looks really cute, but a straight trunk is easier for younger kids to cut. If the trunk feels too floppy, use cardstock or glue a second layer of paper behind it.

I like to make the trunk long enough to hang down from the center of the paper plate. It gives the elephant that classic look, and kids usually recognize it right away.

Step 4: Add the Ears to the Paper Plate

Glue one ear to each side of the paper plate. Place them behind the plate so they peek out from both sides.

This part can be a little tricky because the ears are big. I usually flip the plate over, glue the ears to the back, then turn it around to check the placement before the glue dries.

Press gently and let the glue set for a minute. If the ears keep sliding, use a little tape on the back. Nobody will see it, and honestly, tape saves many craft days.

Step 5: Glue on the Trunk

Glue the elephant trunk near the center of the paper plate. Place it slightly below where the eyes will go so it looks like the elephant’s nose.

If your child wants the trunk to curl to one side, let them choose the direction. A little curve gives the elephant a playful look.

Do not use too much glue here. A small line of glue at the top of the trunk is usually enough. Too much glue can make the paper soggy, and then the trunk may start sliding down the plate.

Step 6: Add the Eyes

Glue two googly eyes above the trunk. This is the step where the elephant really starts to look alive.

If you do not have googly eyes, draw the eyes with a black marker or cut circles from white and black paper. I have done both, depending on what I can find in the craft drawer.

Try to place the eyes evenly, but do not worry if one eye is a little higher than the other. Kids’ crafts are allowed to have character.

Step 7: Draw the Face Details

Use a black marker to draw eyebrows, a little smile, and lines on the trunk. You can also add nostrils at the end of the trunk.

I like drawing simple curved lines on the trunk because it gives it more shape. Kids can also add eyelashes, freckles, or a silly expression.

If you are doing this with a group, I would remind kids to wait until the glue is dry before drawing too much. Markers can drag through wet glue, and that can get messy fast.

Step 8: Add Extra Details

Now add the final details. Kids can glue on white paper tusks, pink cheeks, a bow, a flower, or colorful stickers.

The tusks can be simple curved white shapes. They do not need to be sharp or perfectly even. For a friendly craft, I like keeping them rounded and cute.

You can also add paper flowers near one ear or little spots around the face. If your child wants a party elephant, add a small paper party hat. It is silly, but kids love it.

Easy Classroom Idea

Let each child choose a different elephant color, then display all the elephants together on a zoo-themed bulletin board. The finished board looks cheerful, and every child gets to see their own elephant included.

Step 9: Let It Dry and Display

Let the craft dry completely before moving it around. Googly eyes, thick paper ears, and trunk pieces need a little time to set.

Once it is dry, you can hang it on the wall, add it to an animal craft board, or place it in a child’s art folder. If you are making this in a classroom, write each child’s name on the back before the elephants start looking like one big gray herd.

This craft also looks cute on a fridge or bedroom door. My rule is that if a child is proud of it, it deserves a spot somewhere.

Easy Elephant Craft Tips

This easy elephant craft is already pretty simple, but a few small tips make it smoother, especially with younger kids.

• Pre-cut the ears and trunk for toddlers
• Use washable paint for easier cleanup
• Let kids choose their own elephant color
• Use a glue stick for paper pieces
• Use liquid glue for googly eyes
• Write the child’s name on the back
• Keep extra ear and trunk shapes ready for groups
• Cover the table before painting
• Let the plate dry flat before adding paper pieces

My biggest tip is to prepare the paper pieces before painting if you are working with a group. Waiting for paint to dry feels much shorter when kids still have something to do.

For younger kids, I would focus on painting, gluing, and decorating. For kindergarten kids, you can let them practice cutting the ears, trunk, and tusks.

Fun Elephant Craft Variations to Try

This elephant craft for kids is easy to change depending on the season, classroom theme, or supplies you already have.

Try one of these fun variations:

• Make a gray elephant with pink ears
• Create a blue elephant for a cartoon look
• Add a paper flower near the elephant’s ear
• Use tissue paper pieces to decorate the ears
• Make a baby elephant with a smaller paper plate
• Add a party hat for a birthday elephant craft
• Create a zoo animal craft collection
• Use stickers for cheeks or decorations
• Add a bow for a cute extra detail

I like the baby elephant idea if you have small dessert plates. You can make a big elephant and baby elephant together, which is sweet for a parent and child craft.

If you are planning a zoo theme, pair this elephant with other paper plate animal crafts. It keeps the supply list simple, and kids love seeing a full animal collection when they are done.

Skills Kids Practice With This Craft

This easy paper plate elephant craft is fun, but it also helps kids practice important early learning skills. I love when a craft feels playful but still gives kids a chance to build confidence with basic skills.

Kids can practice:

• Fine motor skills
• Cutting skills
• Gluing practice
• Color recognition
• Hand-eye coordination
• Creativity
• Following step-by-step directions
• Learning animal features
• Making simple design choices

Cutting the ears and trunk helps kids work on hand strength and control. Gluing the pieces in the right places helps them think about shape, position, and how parts create a whole animal.

The craft also gives kids a chance to follow directions while still being creative. That balance is important. I want them to learn the steps, but I also want their elephant to feel like theirs.

When to Use This Elephant Craft

This elephant craft for kids works well for so many simple activities. It is cute enough for a classroom display but easy enough for a regular afternoon at home.

You can use it for:

• Preschool craft time
• Kindergarten classroom activities
• Zoo theme week
• Animal theme lessons
• Rainy day crafts
• Birthday party activities
• Homeschool art time
• Summer camp crafts
• Storytime activities
• Paper plate animal craft days

This is also a nice craft to make after reading an elephant book or learning about zoo animals. Kids can talk about the big ears, long trunk, tusks, and how elephants look different from other animals.

For a birthday party, I would pre-cut the ears, trunk, and tusks. That way kids can paint, glue, decorate, and finish without the activity taking over the whole party table.

Storage and Display Ideas

After the paper plate elephant craft is dry, you can display it in a few easy ways.

You can:

• Hang it on a classroom bulletin board
• Display it on the fridge
• Add it to a zoo animal craft wall
• Use it for an animal theme lesson
• Place it in a child’s art scrapbook
• Pair it with an elephant storytime activity
• Tape it to a bedroom door
• Make a row of elephants for classroom decor

If you want to save it, let the glue dry fully first. The trunk and ears can bend if they are placed in a folder too soon.

For a classroom, I love displaying all the elephants together. Even when everyone uses the same supplies, each one comes out a little different. Some look sleepy, some look silly, and some look like they have very big feelings.

Related Crafts for Kids

If your kids enjoyed this paper plate elephant craft, they may also like a DIY Paper Plate Lion Craft for another fun animal activity. A lion pairs nicely with an elephant if you are making zoo animals.

For more paper plate animal ideas, try a DIY Paper Plate Dinosaur Craft or an Easy Toddler Paper Plate Rainbow Fish Craft. These crafts use simple supplies and work well for kids who like painting, gluing, and making cute animal faces.

I like keeping these paper plate crafts together because it makes planning easier. Once I already have plates, paint, glue, scissors, and construction paper out, I can make more than one animal craft without starting from scratch.

Final Thoughts

This DIY paper plate elephant craft is simple, cute, and perfect for kids who enjoy animal crafts. It uses basic supplies, works well for preschool and kindergarten, and makes a sweet display craft for classrooms, bedrooms, or zoo-themed activities.

I love that it gives kids enough structure to follow, but still leaves room for creativity. The elephant can be gray, blue, pink, or purple. The ears can be huge, the trunk can curl, and the face can be as silly as your child wants.

Most of all, this craft feels doable. It is budget-friendly, kid-friendly, and not too fussy. That is exactly the kind of project I like keeping ready for a rainy afternoon, a classroom craft table, or a simple animal theme day.

Frequently Asked Questions